Around 400 additional homes could be built at Southwark Grounds on Port Road, lifting total site capacity from 1300 to around 1700 dwellings.

A recently approved code amendment would allow apartment towers of up to 14 storeys in some areas of Renewal SA’s redevelopment of the former West End Brewery.

Renewal SA Acting Chief Executive Shane Wingard said he welcomed the code amendment, with the increase in heights and homes making a positive impact on the supply of high-quality, well-connected housing close to the city.

“By going higher across some parts of Southwark Grounds, we are adding a substantial number of very well-located homes with little impact on project delivery time or planned open space,” Mr Wingard said.

Since the project officially launched in 2025, Mr Wingard said more than 12,000 enquiries had been received about living at Southwark Grounds.

“The very strong early interest we’ve seen since homes were first released in the precinct reinforces our plans to create more housing opportunities,” he said.

The Southwark Grounds code amendment was launched in December last year, with community engagement undertaken over five weeks from January.

It proposed increasing maximum building heights from eight to 14 storeys on the eastern section of Southwark Grounds, and to 12 storeys across the remainder of the site, with minimum building heights ranging from two to four storeys.

The code amendment was implemented through an Early Commencement policy in late January, allowing developers to quickly explore the viability of increased height and housing yield while other planning processes continue.

One of the first developers delivering apartment sites have already finalised redesigns to increase the number of apartments following the code amendment.

Samaras’ development adjacent to the future Colonel Light Park is now planning to deliver 125 apartments across 11 storeys, significantly greater than original plans of around 50 apartments across four storeys.

The developer is also exploring the potential for additional affordable housing outcomes.

Most of the apartments at Southwark Grounds will be delivered within a master-planned precinct on a large parcel of land on the eastern portion of the site, covering around two-thirds of its 8.4 hectares.

Wingard said detailed precinct planning over the coming months may identify further opportunities to increase yield further that could see total apartment numbers at Southwark Grounds, exceed this number.

Affordable homes at Southwark Grounds will also see a net increase, with Renewal SA maintaining its commitment to a minimum of 20 per cent affordable housing across the development.

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Civil works have begun across the site, with construction under way on the first new roads surrounding a townhouse precinct in the south‑west corner of Southwark Grounds. This includes Renewal SA’s 17 Founder’s Row homes, which are on track for completion by Christmas.

“We expect to have people living at Southwark Grounds by the end of the year, so delivering roads and public spaces for those residents is among our highest priorities.”

Construction of 40 townhouses off Anderson Street, known as West Village and being delivered by Contour, is forecast to begin in mid‑2026. Kolabb’s Anderson Lane development will follow shortly after, delivering a further 26 townhouses.

Southwark Grounds is a state government‑led urban renewal project now set to deliver around 1,700 homes over the next decade.

Homes will be supported by a supermarket, a range of retail and hospitality offerings anchored by a revitalised Walkerville Brew Tower, a childcare centre, car parking and well‑connected public spaces.

Joel Robinson

400 new homes planned for Adelaide's former West End Brewery site

Brisbane developer&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/cavcorp">Cavcorp</a> has lodged plans for a new mixed-use residential development at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/55-wyandra-street-teneriffe-qld-4005">55 Wyandra Street</a>, Teneriffe, anchored by an 85-metre public laneway designed to reconnect the suburb’s riverfront with the Gasworks precinct.

The buildings, known as Teneriffe House and Teneriffe Lane, would replace the existing Queensland Cotton head office site with a 15-storey residential tower transitioning to eight storeys toward Helen Street. The project has been designed by Plazibat Architects and lodged as a code assessable development application for 93 apartments across a 3,401 sqm mixed-use site within the Newstead and Teneriffe Waterfront neighbourhood plan.

Central to the scheme is the transformation of an existing service easement into a publicly accessible cross-block connection linking Wyandra and Helen Streets. Cavcorp says the new laneway will act as both a pedestrian shortcut and a landscaped civic space between the Teneriffe Riverwalk, ferry terminal, and Gasworks precinct.

<img alt="First Look: Cavcorp unveils Teneriffe House and Teneriffe Lane plans for landmark wellness tower in Teneriffe" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="26e7f058-b065-4de8-b13d-a2b8cb64dfcc" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/bldg.png?VersionId=sELS0ZKYi361oYipUa1BIKfe_.DLZoFV" />

“The revised proposal delivers a legacy public-realm cross-block link, permanently secured for community use, transforming an existing private easement into a safe, high-quality pedestrian connection between the Teneriffe heritage riverwalk and the Gasworks–Long Island precinct,” the planning report states.

The laneway will sit beneath a large subtropical loggia integrated into the podium levels of the development. The design incorporates deep landscaping, water gardens, lobby spaces, business lounges, and ground-floor apartments to create what Cavcorp describes as a climate-responsive “urban verandah.”

The tower itself has been designed as a slender form with recessed floorplates and curved translucent corners inspired by contemporary Japanese architecture. The building height aligns with the Commercial Road precinct controls, which permit towers up to 15 storeys within proximity to Longland Street.

<img alt="First Look: Cavcorp unveils Teneriffe House and Teneriffe Lane plans for landmark wellness tower in Teneriffe" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="a8a17d40-43b6-4718-b3fd-67676fcbb485" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/pers%202_1.png?VersionId=i3VwDtp5AmL_8InW7w4qRbDFEpb744Jt" />

The project will comprise a mix of larger-format apartments aimed at owner-occupiers, downsizers, and families. The proposed apartment mix includes 11 loggia apartments across the lower levels, 50 four-bedroom Sky-Terrace apartments from levels three to seven, and 32 Sky-Pool Homes occupying the upper tower levels. The Sky-Pool Homes will feature private thermal plunge pools integrated into oversized balconies.

According to the application, the apartments are intended to reinterpret the scale and character of Teneriffe’s woolstore conversions and Queensland homes within a vertical residential format.

“The sky-pool homes build on Cavcorp’s previous projects and introduce a distinct apartment typology to Teneriffe, informed by both local and international precedent and responding to an identified market demand for enhanced safety, space and amenity,” the planning submission notes.

A major focus of the proposal is its five-level wellness and lifestyle offering, extending from the basement through to the rooftop.

Amenities proposed include a rooftop Swim &amp; Racquet Club with a 25-metre Olympic lap pool and tennis court, coworking spaces and libraries, golf simulators, wine storage, concierge facilities, business lounges, pet wash areas, and rooftop longevity-focused wellness spaces with spas, outdoor fitness zones, and landscaped terraces.

<img alt="First Look: Cavcorp unveils Teneriffe House and Teneriffe Lane plans for landmark wellness tower in Teneriffe" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="944b352c-49b9-4247-a4c6-5967b4b69fda" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/amenity.png?VersionId=Ed_qKjAtMwFT.5gfl3jiA9QwdWxSMsaX" />

All parking will be concealed within basement levels accessed from Wyandra and Helen Streets. Cavcorp says the deep-basement engineering approach allows the entire ground plane to prioritise landscaping, pedestrian movement, and active frontage rather than vehicle infrastructure.

The development continues Cavcorp’s concentration in Newstead and Teneriffe, where the Brisbane developer has delivered a number of apartment projects including Lucent, Le Bain, and Luminare, as well as the Long Island Wellness Precinct nearby. Several of those projects have received national design and architecture awards, including recognition under Brisbane’s “Buildings that Breathe” program.

Cavcorp unveils wellness-focused Teneriffe House and Teneriffe Lane apartment buildings

Focus Group Investments has lodged plans for a new apartment development at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/64-70-hanover-street-fitzroy-vic-3065">64–70 Hanover Street</a> in Fitzroy, seeking to utilise the Victorian Government’s recently introduced Great Design Fast Track pathway to accelerate approvals for the project.

The proposal is among the latest developments to emerge through the state-led initiative, which was established to fast-track well-designed residential projects in activity centres and transport-connected inner-city locations. The pathway allows qualifying developments that meet elevated design and housing benchmarks to bypass traditional council planning timeframes and instead be assessed directly by the Department of Transport and Planning.

Designed by SJB, the development will comprise a mix of apartments above activated lower levels, with a strong focus on architectural articulation, landscaping, and communal amenity. The design response seeks to balance the industrial character of Richmond’s former warehouse precincts with a more contemporary residential form.

<img alt="First look: Focus Group Investments taps Victoria’s Great Design Fast Track for Richmond apartments" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="abea51cc-d85b-479e-9aef-a589f3b37ca7" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/ground.png?VersionId=e1Kf8EyPWwyiVumtqQ4rM5S4GpOR3CCz" />

Proposed are 63 new dwellings, a wide ranging mix of studio, one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments, and townhouses and duplexes. They will be spread across a part-three, part-eight storey building.

The Planning and Urban Context Report by Tract says the development is of an "exemplary architectural standard" and has been carefully crafted by SJB Architects.

"Dwellings&nbsp;will benefit from excellent access to natural light, cross-ventilation opportunities and extensive communal space," the report noted.

The architectural material highlights the project’s integration of landscaped elements and communal spaces throughout the building. The proposal also incorporates sustainability initiatives aligned with the Victorian Government’s push for higher-performing apartment developments under the fast-track program.

The Great Design Fast Track was unveiled by the Victorian Government in 2024 as part of a broader housing supply strategy aimed at accelerating the delivery of new homes. Projects assessed through the pathway must demonstrate high-quality architecture, sustainability outcomes, and housing diversity while being located close to public transport and existing infrastructure.

<img alt="First look: Focus Group Investments taps Victoria’s Great Design Fast Track for Richmond apartments" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="afdbe834-8dc4-4a77-a943-ba07bc927348" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/site_11.png?VersionId=0J657j.TaChAZfp93wqJYBTqSsnREJx2" />

Focus Group, founder and led by Paul De Lutiis, is increasingly active across Melbourne’s inner suburbs, targeting well-connected urban renewal locations suited to medium and higher-density residential development. The Fitzroy proposal continues that strategy, leveraging the area’s strong transport links, established retail amenity, and proximity to the CBD.

Fitzroy has been one of the most popular spots for developers and buyers in recent years. The likes of PACE Development Group, SMA Projects, Crema Group and Chapter Group, currently selling projects in the suburb.

First look: Focus Group Investments taps Victoria’s Great Design Fast Track for Fitzroy apartments

The Gold Coast Planning Committee has supported the preliminary approval for the Benowa Gardens Urban Village project following an extensive community consultation and assessment process.

The proposal will now proceed to a full council vote on June 2.

The application sought approval for a masterplanned urban village on the existing Benowa Gardens Shopping Centre site, combining new housing, retail, dining, health and lifestyle amenities within a walkable, integrated precinct.&nbsp;

The proposed redevelopment includes around 413 apartments integrated above a revitalised mixed-use centre featuring a full-line supermarket of 4,000 sqm, 6,000 sqm of specialty retail and dining space across around 30 retailers, a 7,000 sqm health and wellness precinct, and roughly 9,630 sqm of office and medical suites.&nbsp;

<img alt="$1b Benowa Gardens Urban Village moves to Full Council following Planning Committee support" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="fb36ae47-80bc-45f0-9914-31b0c7b6007d" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/PR26576%20Ashmore%20Road%20C4%201121%20FI.jpg?VersionId=6mRKk2uU4r67TmTt39DKGUlvFRbTVqWa" />

The broader masterplan also includes very significant traffic and transport improvements, wide pedestrian walkways, upgraded pedestrian and cycle connections, and enhanced public areas designed to create a more connected and walkable community environment.&nbsp;

Centre owner Patrick Lu said the milestone reflected months of detailed planning, technical assessment and ongoing communication with local residents, businesses, schools and stakeholders.

“We appreciate the time, consideration and care Council officers and the Planning Committee have given this proposal throughout the assessment process,” Lu said.

“We also sincerely thank the local community for engaging with us, sharing feedback and participating in the consultation process over many months.

<img alt="$1b Benowa Gardens Urban Village moves to Full Council following Planning Committee support" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="32fd1fc3-d0e6-485f-ac57-9916c9bcb818" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/PR26576%20Ashmore%20Road%20C5%201121%20FI_2.jpg?VersionId=fz8qQKDBLQ7MyFRc856Zccfbh9nFwLOe" />

“We understand projects of this scale bring questions and concerns, which is why we have worked hard to listen carefully, provide information transparently and continue refining elements of the proposal where possible.

“Our vision has always been to create a well-designed, community-focused urban village that responds to the changing needs of the Gold Coast, while delivering improved amenity, housing diversity, healthcare access and local lifestyle benefits.

“This proposal is about creating a genuine live-work-play environment where residents can access everyday services, schools, healthcare, dining, shopping and green space within walking distance, while also supporting local jobs and economic activity.”

<img alt="$1b Benowa Gardens Urban Village moves to Full Council following Planning Committee support" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="50dfbd04-590e-4fc6-983b-766880947867" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Dining%20Day%20Time%20-%20High%20Resolution.jpg?VersionId=BP7ZoKJ0DdL_8iRkkC8VVx99moICV6kg" />

Lu said the proposal had evolved significantly through consultation and technical review, particularly around traffic, pedestrian and student safety and neighbourhood connectivity.&nbsp;

Melissa Griffin, Director at Urbis, said the recommendation recognised the strategic importance of delivering more housing and services within established urban areas already supported by infrastructure.

“This proposal represents the type of thoughtful, integrated growth that planning frameworks across South-East Queensland are encouraging,” Ms Griffin said.

“The project seeks to place housing, retail, healthcare and employment opportunities together in a highly accessible location close to schools, transport and existing services.

“Importantly, the process has involved significant technical assessment and community engagement to ensure local issues and feedback were properly considered throughout the planning pathway.”

$1 billion Benowa Gardens Urban Village heads to council vote following Planning Committee support

Surfers Paradise is officially set for its first new residential development with a 45-storey skybridge connecting the two towers.

John Camilleri’s Celestino Developments has been given the green light by the Gold Coast City Council to develop its major beachfront precinct across its huge 4,000 sqm oceanfront site at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/63-79-garfield-terrace-surfers-paradise-qld-4217">63–79 Garfield Terrace</a>, just five months after its <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/qld/first-look-exclusive-billionaire-winx-breeder-s-bold-two-tower-surfers-paradise-play-with-45th-storey-skybridge">submission in late 2025</a>.

The approved scheme will deliver two towers rising 55 and 48 storeys, connected by a skybridge positioned on level 45 that will house a range of resident-only wellness and entertainment spaces.

In its notice of approval, the Gold Coast City Council said the&nbsp;proposed overall built form has been designed to complement the scale, intensity and protect the adjacent amenity and surrounding streets through the use of varied setbacks, site cover and architectural elements.

<img alt="First look exclusive: Billionaire Winx breeder’s bold two-tower Surfers Paradise play with 45th-storey skybridge" data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/f_auto,c_limit,w_1440,q_75/https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/field/image/Screenshot%202025-12-30%20at%209.53.48%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=ADyPJ_TFbJvSU9wZFOiCBnlPtgF7VWqW" />

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/dbi">DBI</a>, the development will comprise 275 apartments across the two towers, including a mix of two-, three-, and four-bedroom residences, as well as several penthouses. The apartments will sit above a landscaped podium featuring more than 90 metres of beachfront pool frontage, private resident lawns, lounges, and wellness spaces.

DBI said the design draws heavily from the movement and form of the coastal environment, with curving balcony lines and sculpted façades intended to soften the scale of the towers while maximising ocean outlooks and passive shading outcomes.

“The project occupies a rare, uninterrupted oceanfront site and has been shaped by a design philosophy that merges architectural elegance with environmental responsiveness and a carefully curated lifestyle experience,” DBI said in planning documents submitted to the Gold Coast City Council.

The most distinctive element of the approved project is the skybridge linking the two towers at level 45. The elevated communal space is planned to include executive lounges, formal dining areas, wellness facilities, and panoramic ocean-facing outlooks.

“The skybridge enhances the identity of the development, promotes social interaction, and delivers a lifestyle experience not found elsewhere on the Gold Coast,” DBI said.

At podium level, residents will have access to a suite of resort-style amenities, including resident lounges, private dining rooms, a yoga lawn, gymnasium, plunge pools, and treatment spaces. The beachfront pool has been designed with separate lap, lounge, and children’s areas extending across the width of the site.

The project will also introduce new food and beverage offerings along the Enderley Avenue and Oceanway frontages, contributing additional activation to the beachfront precinct.

First look: Winx billionaire’s beachfront Surfers Paradise apartment development greenlit

Insurance

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<div>Monoline mortgage insurer Genworth Mortgage Insurance Australia (GMA) released its FY15 results late last week, with new CEO (and fellow former Deloittian) Georgette Nicholas taking the helm for its latest investor presentation.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>As expected following the loss of a key contract gross written premium was down by 20 per cent from FY14, largely due to Westpac canning its Lenders Mortgage Insurance (LMI) deal with Genworth in February 2015, but underlying earnings performance remained resilient.</div>
<a href="/images/2016/02/08/GMA1.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="/images/2016/02/08/GMA1.jpg" alt="">
<div> </div>
<div>The number of paid claims was well down to 616 in 2H15 from 664 in the prior corresponding period of 2H14 (and way down from 1,091 in 2H13) although the average paid claim increased year-on-year to $63,500 from $54,400.</div>
<a href="/images/2016/02/08/GMA2.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="/images/2016/02/08/GMA2.jpg" alt="">
 Delinquencies very low
<div> </div>
<div>Genworth's ASX releases are perhaps most interesting for their ongoing insights into mortgage delinquencies, and the latest presentation showed that delinquencies remain at a very low level of just 0.38 per cent nationally. </div>
<div> </div>
<div>Queensland has the highest delinquency rate of the states (0.53 per cent), in no small part thanks to the now discredited belief that house prices and vacancy rates in mining towns could emerge unscathed from the end of the resources construction boom. </div>
<div> </div>
<div>Queensland's delinquency rate has also been elevated since the 2011 book year when delinquency developments were exacerbated by flooding across huge swathes of the state. Strip out those exceptional items and mortgage books in the remainder of the Sunshine State are in reasonably solid nick.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>South Australia is next in line at 0.51 per cent, perhaps unsurprising given the elevated rates of unemployment consistently being recorded in Adelaide and regional South Australia. </div>
<div> </div>
<div>Delinquency rates were exceptionally low in New South Wales for such a populous state at just 0.27 per cent.</div>
<div> </div>
<div class="separator"><a href="/images/2016/02/08/GMA3.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a></div>
<div class="separator"><img src="/images/2016/02/08/GMA3.jpg" alt=""></div>
<div> </div>
<div>Mapping GMA's delinquency developments by book year shows how delinquency rates have cascaded handsomely lower since the particularly troublesome 2008 and 2009 book years. </div>
<a href="/images/2016/02/08/GMA4-1.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="/images/2016/02/08/GMA4-1.jpg" alt="">
<div>Share price rebound</div>
<div> </div>
<div>The share price responded positively to the FY15 investor presentation to trade up by +4.33 per cent by the market close yesterday at $2.65.</div>
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  <div class="separator"><a href="/images/2016/02/08/GMA6.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a></div>
<div class="separator"><img src="/images/2016/02/08/GMA6.jpg" alt=""></div>
</div>
<div>If Genworth is perceived to be any kind of worthwhile bellwether for property market sentiment (commonly claimed when the market cap is down) then the 20 per cent recovery in the share price from $2.21 to $2.65 augurs well for the mortgage default outlook. This is particularly so given that the share price dipped sharply in September as the APRA crackdown on property investors bit hard, adversely impacting expected volumes through 2016. The Genworth share price had slumped to a 52 week low of $2.21 on September 2015 as the Glencore share price crash rocked commodities companies and share market confidence.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>
PETE WARGENT is the co-founder of <a href="https://allenwargent.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">AllenWargent</a> property buyers (London, Sydney) and a best-selling author and <a href="https://petewargent.blogspot.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">blogger</a>. 
His latest book is <a href="https://www.bigskypublishing.com.au/Books/General-Interest/Four-Green-Houses--and-a-Red-Hotel/1015/productview.aspx" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Four Green Houses and a Red Hotel</a>.
</div>
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pwargent-M4siyDbqQY

Genworth's mortgage delinquencies remain low

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GUEST OBSERVER
The fire season has started early. Homes were destroyed last month in bushfires near Lancefield, Victoria, while buildings and lives have been lost as fires continue to sweep through southern Western Australia.
Alongside the devastating loss of life and properties, many properties potentially in the path of Australian bushfires are inadequately insured.
While we have known about high rates of non-insurance and under-insurance across Australia for some time, there is surprisingly little solid data on the issue. We recently set out to address this gap at both the national and regional level.
Early findings from a national survey (which we will be presenting at the 2015 TASA conference later this month) indicate 13% of those surveyed are without insurance cover for their assets - 9% of home owners are without house insurance and 41% of tenants do not have contents insurance.
Approximately one-quarter of those who are insured may also be inadequately covered.
<h2>Under-insurance: a hot topic</h2>
These new findings strengthen our understanding of some already troubling figures on insurance in Australia.
After bushfires destroyed or severely damaged 500 homes in Canberra in 2003, estimates for national rates of under-insurance varied from 27 to 81%. The 2009 Victorian Black Saturday bushfires destroyed over 2000 homes, with about 13% of all property losses not insured.
The average uninsured loss for each Australian natural disaster between 2004 and 2011 is estimated to be nearly one billion dollars.
Yet the lessons of Black Saturday and other disastrous events appear slow to sink in.
For some, the purchase of adequate insurance cover is simply not an option. Bushfire-prone urban fringes are increasingly populated by low income earners and households where English may be the second or third language. The affordability and perhaps cultural understanding of insurance stand as obstacles to obtaining adequate coverage.
Informing people of the risks of under- or non-insurance, along with fear mongering or peer-pressure, are unlikely to be effective strategies for change. Even when money is not as tight, more information does not necessarily result in behavioural change.
This was found in interviews with at-risk residents in New South Wales. Everyday priorities, care-providing roles, and trade-offs between environmental risks and benefits are all factors that influence risk tolerance and safety behaviour.
Interviews we undertook with “tree changers” living on the outskirts of Hobart, Tasmania also highlight the uncertainty associated with taking out insurance cover. While affordability is not an issue for this cohort, public mistrust in insurance companies, and their lack of transparency certainly is.
<h2>Insurance as one part of an integrated disaster strategy</h2>
Losing one’s biggest material asset without the means to re-build or repair certainly exacerbates the personal trauma of disasters. It also contributes to the financial burden borne by governments and communities in the process of recovery.
However property insurance should not be seen as a panacea for the next Black Saturday. Insurance alone cannot prevent floods or fires, and without a broader support network in place it is unlikely to be as effective as proactive disaster mitigation.
In fact, our research suggests that house and contents insurance works best as one aspect of an integrated disaster preparedness and recovery plan. With some governments leaning towards the privatisation of risk, insurance can appear as the disaster management mechanism of choice.
Yet re-building a house (if one has adequate insurance cover) does not, on its own, re-build lives and communities.
Insurance can help in the aftermath of a disaster only if it is coupled with collective clean-ups, infrastructure repair, government assistance, and community outreach.
<h2>A call to action</h2>
As the fire season kicks off, it’s not only about individual responsibilityfor adequate insurance coverage. Affordability is clearly important for those who are most vulnerable in the face of property loss. Insurers also need to bring more transparency to premium pricing.
Governments have a vital role to play here, too. By providing greater accountability for payout decision-making, they could increase consumer confidence that money spent on insurance will actually deliver dividends. Only through the development of robust prevention and recovery strategies can communities and households be adequately safeguarded against future disasters.
 
Kate Isabel Booth is research fellow in Urban Geography, University of Tasmania and author for The Conversation. She can be contacted <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/kate-isabel-booth-201344" target="_blank">here</a>.
Bruce Tranter is professor of sociology, University of Tasmania and author for The Conversation. He can be contacted <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/bruce-tranter-204682" target="_blank">here</a>.
Christine Eriksen is senior research fellow, University of Wollongong, and author for The Conversation. She can be contacted <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/christine-eriksen-106365" target="_blank">here</a>.
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jchancellor-FAypfDUnLy

Properties under fire: why so many Australians are inadequately insured against disaster

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Mortgage aggregator Finsure Finance &amp; Insurance has surged into second place in BRW Magazine's latest top 100 Fast Starters list, up from 18 in 2014, positioning it as one of Australia’s fastest growing companies.
BRW’s annual Fast Starters list compares businesses founded after June 2011.
Those that make the list are ranked by their revenue and their growth percentage within the last financial year.
BRW recorded Finsure’s FY15 revenue as having grown 90 percent year on year.
The Finsure Group recently hired its 800th broker and stated that settlement volumes rose a further 50 percent during July and August, compared with the same period last year.
“We are delighted to be ranked second on such a high profile list and also to be acknowledged as the fastest growing financial services company,” John Kolenda, Finsure's managing director, said.
“The timing of this award couldn’t be better as we are currently holding our first international conference in Shanghai."
The full list of this year’s BRW Fast Starters can be found <a href="https://www.brw.com.au/lists/fast-starters/2015/" target="_blank">here</a>.
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j.ballantyne1990-6AQqhLzZaK

John Kolena's Finsure races to second place in BRW's Fast Starters list

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Genworth Mortgage Insurance Australia revealed that its chief executive, Ellie Comerford was leaving the company.
Genworth, which has a market valuation of $1.6 billion, announced Ms Comerford was retiring from the insurer.
She will remain in an advisory role until May 31.
The share price has been trading close to record lows, down 22% in the past year to $2.48
Genworth was only listed in May last year at a 13% premium after Australia’s biggest lenders mortgage insurer (LMI) made its public debut on the Australian Securities Exchange.
Genworth shares were priced at $2.65 in Genworth’s $496 million float.
Its prospectus reported Genworth Australia had been profitable for 46 of the past 48 years.
The company is chaired by Richard Grellman.
Genworth chief financial officer Georgette Nicholas will be acting chief executive.
GMA, through its subsidiary companies Genworth Financial Mortgage Insurance Pty Ltd and Genworth Financial Mortgage Indemnity Ltd (GMA Group), is the leading provider of Lenders Mortgage Insurance (LMI) in the Australian residential mortgage market.
The GMA Group has been part of the Australian residential mortgage lending market for 50 years since Housing Loans Insurance Corporation was founded by the Australian Government in 1965 to provide LMI in Australia. 
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Genworth chief Ellie Comerford departing

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Comparison website Mozo has named Youi the best home insurer in Australia, based on about 10,000 insurance customers' reviews.
Youi was rated 8.3 out of 10, followed by Westpac, GIO, Suncorp and Coles.
The Royal Automobile Association of South Australia took out the award for the best specialist home insurer category.
According to Mozo director Kirsty Lamont, customers' satisfaction levels were closely related to price. However, service also played a substantial role.
"The biggest gripe among customers is the claims process, which is the real moment of truth for insurers, most negative reviews were related to refusal to pay claims, delays in claim payments and the attitude of staff," said Lamont.
"68% of us are fans of our insurer and the remaining 32% gave their insurer a fair or fail rating," Lamont said.
Mozo refers to those who rated their insurer eight or higher "a fan", while "fair" refers to those who gave a score between five and seven. A "fail" is a score of four or lower.
Women generally scored insurers higher than men did. Victorians and Queenslanders were the least satisfied with their insurers than customers in other states.
Mozo users rated their insurers 7.8 out of 10 overall.
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Mozo names Youi Australia's best home insurer

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The Banking Day website reports Westpac has "kicked Genworth, and maybe also QBE, off its reinsurance panel" with others moving to fill the void.
Banking analysts cited by <a href="https://www.bankingday.com" target="_blank">Banking Day</a> suggest Westpac would "effect a capital arbitrage with a Bermudan reinsurer whereby they can extract more (profit) commission for ceding the business than they could by keeping it in Australia".
Genworth shares tumbled after getting three months notice that Westpac had ditched the LVR lender mortgage insurance arrangements for 90% plus loan to value ratios (LVRs). <a href="https://www.bankingday.com/nl06_news_selected.php?act=2&amp;stream=1&amp;selkey=18197&amp;hlc=2&amp;hlw=" target="_blank"></a>
<a href="https://www.bankingday.com/nl06_news_selected.php?act=2&amp;stream=1&amp;selkey=18197&amp;hlc=2&amp;hlw=" target="_blank">The Banking Day report</a> says a UBS briefing noted "we understand QBE LMI received similar notification".
Loans in the less risky 80 to 90% LVR range will continue to be supported by Westpac’s own insurance arm.
Fairfax Media have identified it as Arch Capital Group of Bermuda.
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Westpac reportedly ditch the LMI duopoly for Bermudan reinsurer

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Westpac Banking Corp has told Genworth Mortgage Insurance Australia that it will be cutting short its lenders mortgage insurance (LMI) agreement with Genworth.
It provided 90 days written notice yesterday. The company’s shares are down today more than 20% to around $3.34.
The termination provisions of the agreement were set out in the IPO Prospectus of the recently listed company.
WBC recently completed a strategic review of residential mortgage loans with a Loan to Value Ratio (‘LVR’) of greater than 90%.
The LMI business underwritten under this contract represented 9.5% of Genworth’s New Insurance Written in 2014. Genworth suggests a 14% fall in gross written premiums, which totalled $634.2 million in 2014.
The full effect is more likely to be felt in the 2016 financial year and beyond, the company advised. 
Westpac have not indicated if they will insure the loans with LVRs over 90% or take the additional risk itself,or go to the rival, QBA.
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Westpac dump Genworth's LVR insurance agreement

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GUEST OBSERVATION
Last month, Brisbane's storm activity saw insurance companies clock over 2,000 calls in the first couple of hours of the storm taking place. What followed were insurance companies scrambling to process the claims as quickly and efficiently as possible before the next round of storms begin.
This storm season, it's more important than ever to make sure that you are well prepared. The Bureau of Meteorology has predicted that Queensland and New South Wales will be hit with numerous rounds of storms with the potential for very damaging results.
Here are a few tips to make sure you're ready to tackle this storm season:
<ul>
<li>Make sure all gutters are cleaned, roofs have no current damage and that any damage not caused by storms have been repaired.</li>
<li>Ensure that your body corporate's current insurance policy is up to date.</li>
<li>Double check what is included and excluded in your policy and that the unit block is adequately covered for storm damage. If there are areas you believe should be improved or extra cover added make a list and be sure to bring it up with your Committee members.</li>
<li>Secure all loose fittings on common property, such as umbrellas, plants, lounge chairs and tables.</li>
<li>Check your own personal insurance policy for what you are covered for should storm damage occur. Remember: your own personal belongings are not covered by your body corporate's insurance.</li>
<li>Make sure that signs detailing evacuation plans are placed around the complex and that every tenant and owner is aware of the procedures.</li>
<li>Always make sure that the trees are maintained and trimmed. This reduces the risk of debris flying around during a storm.</li>
</ul>
It is recommended that you have an emergency kit, which could contain the following:
<ul>
<li>Sand bags in case of any flash flooding.</li>
<li>Heavy-duty black garbage bags and masking tape for bordering up any broken or damaged windows to prevent further damage to your property inside.</li>
<li>Torch and radio.</li>
<li>A list of radio stations which announce emergency information as well as a list of emergency numbers and hotlines.</li>
<li>A "go bag" should you have to leave in a hurry. This could contain items such as your most important documents (passports, birth certificates etc.) as well as some clothes. Included in this should be a contingency plan of where you are going to go should you have to evacuate your house.</li>
</ul>
After the storm, it is crucial that you stay away from any fallen power lines and flooded roads and do a check of your property, complex and common areas for any damage. The committee should be notified of any damage found for further action.
Rebecca Kennedy is senior tender analyst for <a href="https://stratamatch.com.au/" target="_blank">Strata Match</a>.
Strata Match is a corporate advisory service, providing committees and owners with a transparent tendering process to facilitate the selection and transition of body corporate buildings from one strata manager to another.
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Tips to ensure your body corporate is prepared for this storm season

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With bushfire disasters seen recently in South Australia and Victoria, Terri Scheer Insurance’s insurance executive manager Carolyn Parrella is warning landlords to seek appropriate coverage now.
Parella said there has been widespread loss, from property loss to stock loss, and that it will take a while to examine the full extent of the damage.
“It’s often in times like these when insurance becomes front of mind, in terms of whether there is adequate insurance in place, or whether a homeowner is covered at all,” said Parella.
She warned that while price is often the first consideration for insurance, affordability should not be the only thing that investors look at when considering their coverage.
In fact it’s more about looking at the level of coverage, and considering the potential “what ifs”.
“This includes the location of the property and whether you live in a high risk bushfire zone or flood prone area, as the relevant building codes may alter the level or type of coverage required,” she said.
“My message to landlords is – don’t wait until it’s too late when it comes to insurance coverage.”
When submitting a claim, she warned that you don’t want to be discovering that you don’t have the cover you thought that you did or to find excesses that you hadn’t considered.
“It is a good idea to regularly review your policy and ensure appropriate coverage is in place.”
Here are some points to remember:
<ul>
<li>It’s worth reading your policy wording, including terms and conditions, to ensure you are covered for what you think you are. 
</li>
<li>Ensure your policy is up to date – an expired cover leaves you uninsured. 
</li>
<li>Suitable building insurance policies should be checked for fire coverage and can cover rental income if the property is damaged and can’t be tenanted for a period of time. 
</li>
<li>Specialised landlord’s insurance may be worth considering.</li>
</ul>
Source: Terri Scheer Insurance
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Bushfires prompt insurance warning: Terri Scheer Insurance

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GUEST OBSERVATION
It’s that time of year when people are enacting their summer holiday plans.
Summer can be a particularly busy time for investors with holiday homes in their portfolios.
While most guests will do the right thing, even the most careful holiday makers can take a more casual approach to looking after a rental property when in holiday mode.
People who rent their holiday homes can expose their property to specific risks including theft, malicious and accidental damage and legal liability issues arising from holiday makers injuring themselves on a property.
This can also lead to loss of rental income while damages are repaired.
The risks can be significant when you consider that a holiday home may be rented out a number of times a year.
We have seen instances where goods have been stolen from a holiday home to damage caused by an overflowing bath tub left unattended.
There were a number of tips to consider that can help reduce these risks during this busy period.
<ul>
<li>Presenting the property</li>
</ul>
Before the holiday season begins, it’s important for landlords to prepare a well-presented property for their guests.
A fresh coat of paint or attending to gardening maintenance can help ensure the property remains well cared for.
Landlords who offer an attractive home set the standard and may be more likely to be rewarded with tenants who take care of their property and pay their rent on time.
<ul>
<li>Safety</li>
</ul>
Landlords should inspect holiday homes regularly to ensure lights, white goods, appliances and smoke detectors are in working order and that the property is safe and habitable.
A detailed condition report should be completed which can include photos and videos of the property and any valuable furniture. 
By providing guests with a safe environment to live in, it may also reduce the possibility of injuries taking place which could potentially result in a liability claim for the landlord.
<ul>
<li>Security</li>
</ul>
Some guests may become casual in their approach to security while on holidays.
Often the warmer weather means doors and windows may be left open during the day or at night.
Landlords should ensure they have appropriate security measures in place to deter would be thieves, including secured locks on screen doors and windows, sensor lights outside the property, a key box with PIN to store the key for guests coming and going from the property and fencing around the property.
<ul>
<li>Welcome pack</li>
</ul>
It is a good idea to prepare a welcome folder for the holiday home that contains important information.
This may include the terms and conditions of the occupancy, such as check-in and check-out times, the rental rate, the maximum number of occupants and vehicles to be housed at the property and after-hours emergency contact details.
The folder can also include a detailed inventory of the furnishings included for use and a list of keys, remotes and key cards.
This will enable tenants to check the list and replace anything that may have been broken or misplaced before they vacate.
You may also like to include information about the general area such as garbage collection times, local restaurants and popular spots to visit.
Leaving a small welcome package of basics, such as teabags, coffee, sugar and biscuits for the tenants can help encourage tenants to treat the property as if it were their own.
<ul>
<li>Appropriate insurance</li>
</ul>
Short-term rental holiday insurance can provide reassurance that property owners won’t be left out of pocket if their rental property is damaged or robbed over the holidays.
Landlord insurance policies for holiday homes generally provide insurance for short-term rentals of up to 12 weeks.
Landlords who protect themselves from the risks associated with renting a holiday home can then make the most of their time during the busy holiday season and help ensure their tenants have an enjoyable stay this summer.
Carolyn Parrella is executive manager of <a href="https://www.terrischeer.com.au/" target="_blank">Terri Scheer Insurance</a>.
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